NRI Sabha polls: Passport must to caste a vote

The voters would have to carry along their passports as an identity proof to enable them exercise their right to franchise during the NRI Sabha, Punjab presidentship polls slated here for Sunday.

Meanwhile stage is all set for nearly 18,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) to decide the fate of the candidates in a triangular contest between former presidents- Kamaljeet Singh Hayre, Pritam Singh Naurangpur and former vice president Jasvir Singh Gill.

Speaking to Hindustan Times here, the assistant returning officer-cum-SDM Iqbal Singh Sandhu said that 16 counters, including two counters especially meant for the women voters were being set up just outside the sabha office, wherein, the government staffers would check the voters' passport before issuing them election slips bearing his or her vote number and polling station number.

“Thereafter, the voters will be guided to enter polling station concerned, where, the polling staff will again verify their identity through passport before issuing them the ballot paper to cast their vote. None will be allowed to caste without carrying their passport,” Sandhu said, adding that 12 polling stations were being set up inside the sabha office, the venue for polling.

“Sabha employees are not being engaged in the poll process. They will not enter the venue except on being specifically asked for support in certain circumstances,” he added.

He said that 125 civil staffers were being deployed to conduct the polls. The voting would start at 9 am and would finish at 5 pm. Subsequently, counting would be held and results would be declared same evening.

“We have deployed three SHOs, two assistant commissioners of police and one additional deputy commissioner of police along with 150 constables on security and traffic arrangements,” ADCP Navjot Singh Mahal said. There would be traffic diversion on the road leading to Sabha office and parking of vehicles has been arranged near tehsil complex, he said. “None will be allowed to create nuisance at the venue while candidates have been told to keep their supporters away from the venue as well, he added.